Men’s Soccer Shuts Out Buffalo

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Two goals within seven minutes of one another in the second half led the No. 18 West Virginia University men’s soccer team to a 2-0 win over Mid-American Conference foe Buffalo on Sunday afternoon at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

“We talked about how we were going to find our goals because we knew we were going to have more of the possession and they defended valiantly for a long time,” coach Marlon LeBlanc says. “We just needed to accelerate a little bit in the final third and in the second half we were able to penetrate with a little more possession and transition with more of a second wave.”

After recording multiple chances in the first half, sophomore Andy Bevin scored the eventual game winner in the 51st minute on a turnaround shot from 10 yards out that beat Buffalo keeper Jonathan Viscosi to his left. Junior Craig Stephens won the ball in the defensive zone and dribbled up the field before providing a pass to freshman Majed Osman along the goal line, followed by Osman sending the ball to Bevin in the center of the pitch.

“At least the chances were coming,” says Bevin. “We kept hammering away and knew we were going to get one of them. Their keeper had a great game and luckily we snuck two past him.”

The Mountaineers (7-3-2, 2-0-1 MAC), who started six freshmen, outshot Buffalo (2-9-1, 0-2-0 MAC), 23-8, including 7-1 in shots on goal. Bevin and freshman Majed Osman led all players with five shots apiece.

Senior Eric Schoenle notched his team-leading fifth goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 57th minute to give WVU a 2-0 lead. Schoenle drew the penalty as he was taken down in front of the net attempting to get on the end of a corner kick by Bevin.

WVU’s best chance of the first half came in the fourth minute as Bevin nearly connected for a goal with senior Uwem Etuk in the fourth minute, but Etuk’s mid-air volley bounced off the crossbar.

Etuk also had a shot saved in the third minute, while Bevin had one saved in the fifth minute.

Viscosi made his best save of the match in the 48th minute as he sprawled to his right and punched a header from Osman towards the near post.

Senior Peabo Doue was involved in a number of chances, including a bending shot in the 35th minute that barely missed the frame.

Senior goalkeeper Yale Tiley made one save in his second-career start and first-career shutout. Viscosi made five saves in the loss for the Bulls.

Maksym Kowal and Stephen Mounnarat had two shots apiece to lead Buffalo.

WVU returns to action in a MAC match against Hartwick on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m. For live stats and video stream of the match courtesy of Kroger, visit WVUsports.com.